A couple due were robbed of thousands of pounds of wedding cash, their rings and a treasured family jewellery from Spanish apartment. Mario Kluczek, 35, and his wife Eliann, 31, had spent around 18 months saving for their dream wedding in Malaga.
But just hours into the holiday, they returned from the beach to discover precious items had vanished from their apartment. Mario, from Liverpool, said: “We were shocked. I didn’t even know what to say. We started crying and then we rang the Spanish police.”
The couple ended up buying cheap imitation rings so they would have something to wear in their wedding pictures after their real ones were stolen. They had arrived in Malaga on June 20 after choosing the city as their wedding destination following several holidays there together.
The next morning they left their apartment at around 11.30am to spend a few hours on the beach before returning at 3.30pm to get ready to meet Eliann’s family.
View 4 ImagesThe newlyweds went ahead with their Malaga wedding after borrowing thousands of pounds from family and friends to cover the costs(Image: SWNS)
Mario said he first realised something was wrong when his wife couldn’t find her engagement ring after taking it off for the beach. Initially believing it had simply been misplaced, he checked the backpack where he had been keeping the couple’s wedding fund.
But the cash had disappeared – along with both of their wedding rings. The couple later realised someone had also cut through the padlock on a piece of luggage with a knife, removed valuables from inside and then carefully put everything back exactly as it had been.
Among the missing items was a necklace Mario’s 80-year-old grandmother had given him for his communion 25 years ago. He said: “The necklace was priceless. I’ve had it for 25 years.
“I’m very close with my nan. I never took that necklace off. It was only to go to the beach. I can always make more money, but things like the engagement rings and the necklace from my nan are priceless to me.”
Mario said around €10,000 in cash had been stolen, along with engagement and wedding rings worth more than £1,000. His ring cost £850 while Eliann’s cost £450.
He said there were no signs of forced entry at the apartment, adding: “It looks like someone already knew the pin code.”
Spanish police attended before directing the couple to make a formal report at the city’s main police station. Mario said officers warned there was little chance of recovering the cash and told them burglaries targeting tourists are common during the summer months.
View 4 ImagesThe couple’s empty wedding ring box after thieves stole the rings just days before they were due to marry(Image: SWNS)
With guests already travelling from around the world for the ceremony, the couple said cancelling the wedding was never an option. Instead, they borrowed around the same amount that had been stolen from friends and family to pay for the venue, DJ, catering and other costs.
Mario said: “We got married last Thursday, but now we’re in debt. When a photographer is asking you to smile and you’re thinking about what has happened, it’s very confusing.
“We’re still having flashbacks every couple of days, because it was so much money. I’m still speechless.”
The couple have since launched a GoFundMe appeal to help repay loved ones who stepped in to save their wedding. Writing on the fundraising page, they said they were “devastated” after what should have been “the happiest week of our lives” turned into “a nightmare”.
View 4 ImagesThe stolen wedding rings, which were taken alongside a treasured family necklace and cash(Image: SWNS)
The fundraiser has so far raised almost £1,000. It can be found here. Booking.com, which the couple used to arrange the holiday apartment, said: “The safety and security of our customers is a top priority.
“We are sorry to hear about this incident. As soon as we were made aware, we launched an internal review into the matter.
“Any suspicion of criminal activity should be reported to the local police, who are best placed to investigate. We are cooperating with their enquiries where appropriate.”